Hillsborough Man Charged After Narcotics Investigation

A Columbia Common man has been charged with drug-related offenses after a narcotics investigation by the Hillsborough Police and the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office found two pounds of marijuana in his car.

Brian Barbieri, 27, was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, third degree, and possession of drug paraphernalia, a disorderly persons offense, according to a release from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office. He was lodged in Somerset County Jail on $10,000 bail, with a 10 percent option.

According to the release, the prosecutor’s offices’ Organized Crime and Narcotics Task Force received information that Barbieri would be driving a black Honda near Triangle Road and Route 206 on Oct. 4, while in possession of a quantity of marijuana. As a result, task force detectives and the Hillsborough Police Department set up surveillance near Triangle Road and Route 206 that day.

Detectives reported observing Barbieri driving the black Honda and conducted a motor vehicle stop. Detectives reported receiving Barbieri’s permission to search the vehicle, after stopping him for questioning.

The search revealed about two pounds and two ounces of marijuana in the vehicle trunk, according to the release. Detectives also reported finding a digital scale, empty plastic sandwich bags and a vacuum sealer during the search.

The marijuana has an estimated street value of $9,000.

Barbieri was subsequently placed under arrest and found to have $1,117 on his person, according to the prosecutor’s office.